Felise Kaufusi
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born | Auckland, New Zealand | 19 May 1992|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 189 cm (6 ft 2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 109 kg (17 st 2 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Second-row | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of 6 April 2024 |
Felise Kaufusi (born 19 May 1992) is a professional rugby league footballer from New Zealand who plays as a second-rower for the Dolphins in the National Rugby League (NRL), and has played for Tonga and Australia at international level.
He previously played for the Melbourne Storm and won the 2017 NRL Grand Final and 2020 NRL Grand Finals with them. Kaufusi has also played for the Queensland Maroons.
Early life
Kaufusi was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Tongan and Niuean descent. He is the younger brother of Antonio and older brother of Patrick.[4][5]
At the age of seven years, Felise moved to Australia and was educated at Shalom Catholic College, Bundaberg. He played junior football for the Bundaberg Brothers before being signed by the North Queensland Cowboys.[6]
Playing career
Early career
From 2010 to 2012, Kaufusi played for the North Queensland Cowboys'
Melbourne Storm (2015-2022)
In Round 1 of the
On 7 May 2016, Kaufusi played for Tonga against Samoa in the 2016 Polynesian Cup.[17] On 6 July, he was named as 18th man for Queensland in Game 3 of the 2016 State of Origin series.[18] Kaufusi was named as 18th man for the Storm in their 2016 NRL Grand Final clash against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks but didn’t play in the 12-14 loss.[19] Kaufusi finished the 2016 NRL season having played in twenty-one matches and scoring four tries for the Storm.
On 21 April 2017, Kaufusi re-signed with the Storm to the end of the 2019 season.
In Round 1 of 2018, Kaufusi suffered a hamstring injury being sidelined for three weeks. In May, he signed a two-year extension to remain with the Melbourne Storm.[29]
Kaufusi made his debut for Queensland in Game 1 of the 2018 State of Origin series, starting at second-row in all three games. He then featured in the Melbourne Storm's grand final loss to the Sydney Roosters. Kaufusi played in twenty-one games for the Storm in 2018, scoring five tries. He also played for Australia in the end of season tests vs New Zealand and Tonga.[30]
Kaufusi played twenty-five games for Melbourne in the
Kaufusi was selected by Queensland for game one of the 2022 State of Origin series. In game two, he scored a try but was later sin binned for a professional foul during Queensland's 12-44 loss against New South Wales.[35] Kaufusi played twenty-one games for Melbourne in the 2022 NRL season including the club's elimination final loss to Canberra.[36]
Dolphins (2023-present)
In round 1 of the
Internationally, Kaufusi was selected to represent Tonga in a three-Test series against England that commenced at St Helens' Totally Wicked Stadium on 22 October 2023.[44]
Honours
Club
- 2016 NRL Grand Final – Runner-up
- 2017 NRL Grand Final – Winners
- 2018 World Club Challenge – Winners
- 2018 NRL Grand Final – Runner-up
- 2020 NRL Grand Final – Winners
Individual
Melbourne Storm
- 2017 – Most Improved Player of the Year
Statistics
Year | Team | Games | Tries | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Melbourne Storm | 17 | 2 | 8 |
2016 | 21 | 4 | 16 | |
2017 | 27 | 9 | 36 | |
2018 | 21 | 5 | 20 | |
2019 | 25 | 1 | 4 | |
2020 | 21 | 2 | 8 | |
2021 | 20 | 3 | 12 | |
2022 | 21 | 3 | 12 | |
2023 | Dolphins | 16 | ||
2024 | 2 | |||
Totals | 191 | 30 | 120 |
source;[45]
References
- ^ "Felise Kaufusi - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ loverugbyleague
- ^ https://www.dolphinsnrl.com.au/teams/nrl-premiership/dolphins/felise-kaufusi/
- ^ "Kaufusi brothers lead try-spree | Bundaberg NewsMail". News-mail.com.au. 13 November 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ "Kaufusi in line to make NRL debut". Townsvillebulletin.com.au. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
- ^ "'Fruit picking to World Cup' by Felise Kaufusi - PlayersVoice". 2 November 2017.
- ^ "Toyota Cup Team Lists: Round Two". NRL.com. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ "'Make or break' for Kaufusi | Bundaberg NewsMail". News-mail.com.au. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ "Cowboys retain four young stars". NRL News. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ "Kaufusi and Feldt set for Pride debuts". Northernpride.com.au. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ "XXXX Queensland Residents team". QRL. 29 June 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ "Dragons lose Dugan in uninspired start".
- ^ "Round 1 - Late mail - Storm". Melbournestorm.com.au. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ "JT steals the show in golden point".
- ^ "Tonga Named To Face Samoa In Pacific Test". Rugbyleagueweek.com.au. 26 April 2015. Archived from the original on 30 April 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
- ^ "Young forward commits to the Club - Storm". Melbournestorm.com.au. July 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ "Samoa holds on in pulsating Pacific Test". nrl.com. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ^ NRL. "Addition to Maroons squad". QRL. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- ^ Jones, Shane. "Nervous wait for Kaufusi ahead of NRL grand final".
- ^ "No second to spare in Kaufusi's rise".
- ^ "Unlikely hero inspires 12-man Tonga to victory".
- ^ Ward, Roy (23 June 2017). "Melbourne Storm's Felise Kaufusi imitates the greats, reaps the rewards" – via The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Bungard, Matt (1 October 2017). "NRL grand final 2017: How the Melbourne Storm players rated" – via The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "Super Storm crowned NRL premiers".
- ^ "Subscribe - dailytelegraph". www.dailytelegraph.com.au.
- ^ "Kangaroos rookie Felise Kaufusi explains why picking Australia over Tonga was easy". Stuff. 5 October 2017.
- ^ Polkinghorne, David (2 November 2017). "The next batch of Kangaroos stars on show in World Cup clash against France" – via The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "Aussie freak enters history books in bloodbath".
- ^ "Felise Kaufusi commits to Melbourne Storm for two more seasons". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ "Rugby League: Felise Kaufusi allegiance lies firmly with Australia despite Tongan heritage". NewsHub. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ Howcroft, Jonathan (28 September 2019). "Roosters 14-6 Storm: NRL preliminary final – as it happened". The Guardian.
- ^ Hytner, Mike (25 October 2020). "Melbourne Storm beat Penrith Panthers as it happened". The Guardian.
- ^ "Parramatta Eels beat Melbourne Storm 16-12 in NRL thriller". ABC News. 18 March 2021.
- ^ "QLD Maroons star Felise Kaufusi breaks silence on infamous Jarome Luai photo". www.sportingnews.com. 15 August 2021.
- ^ "Cleary's stunning response as recalled star, debutant shine: NSW Player Ratings". www.foxsports.com.au. 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Canberra Raiders upset ends Melbourne Storm's September reign". The Guardian. 10 September 2022.
- ^ "Dolphins snare Kaufusi in first major signing". National Rugby League. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ "Dolphins FINALLY sign first NRL player in Maroons enforcer Felise Kaufusi: Transfer Centre". foxsports.com.au. News Corporation Australia. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ "'I don't want to take the gloss off... but': Kenty's warning for Dolphins after historic first-up win". www.foxsports.com.au. 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Dolphins star ruled out in 'incredibly poor' call".
- ^ "Final Team: Te Whare to debut at centre". 6 May 2023.
- ^ "Felise Kaufusi needs a miracle to play State of Origin after getting hit with three-game ban". ABC News. 21 May 2023.
- ^ "Judiciary Report: Niukore facing three-game ban; Pene, Sivo charged". 25 June 2023.
- ^ https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-samoa-squad-pacific-championships-ins-and-outs-brian-too-stephen-crichton-junior-paulo/news-story/a075f551dc0da0aefd29a357ddff3b60
- ^ "Official NRL profile of Felise Kaufusi for Dolphins | NRL.com". National Rugby League. Retrieved 26 March 2024.